News

Yesterday, Protect Our Care released a new paid digital ad today to mark the three-year anniversary of Senator John McCain’s “thumbs-down” vote to block Senate Republicans’ effort to repeal the ACA in the early morning hours of July 28, 2017. A seminal moment for Americans’ health care, McCain offered Republicans a chance to chart a different course from their relentless quest to repeal the law. But instead, under the leadership of Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell, they chose to double down on their repeal at all costs approach even as the nation faces the worst public health crisis in a century. The ad recognizes this important moment by calling attention to the fact that President Trump along with Republican Senators like Cory Gardner (R-CO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Steve Daines (R-MT) and Martha McSally (R-AZ) continue to support repealing the health care law. The ad will appear on digital platforms in AZ, CO, NC, IA, MT, WI, MI, PA and MN. 

WATCH: “Thumbs Down”

In concert with the new ad, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), along with patient advocates joined Protect Our Care and Health Care Voter for a virtual town hall consisting of two panel discussions to reflect on Senator McCain’s thumbs-down vote. The senators gave their recollections of being on the floor of the Senate that night and discussed the importance of the ACA during this pandemic and why President Trump seems hellbent on terminating the ACA in court. The second panel spoke about their various experiences in the fight against the repeal of the ACA and the next steps in health care advocacy leading into November.

Watch the Virtual Town Hall Here

Watch the Virtual Town Hall Here

At a virtual town hall this evening, U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), along with health care experts and patient advocates joined Protect Our Care and Health Care Voter ahead of the third anniversary of Senator John McCain’s historic thumbs-down vote to stave off repeal of the Affordable Care Act. With President Trump in court trying to do what Republicans failed to do legislatively three years ago – terminate the Affordable Care Act – and the coronavirus crisis continuing to rage across the country, the stakes have never been higher to protect the ACA and remember the fateful vote that saved it from repeal in 2017. 

Watch the Virtual Town Hall Here

Protect Our Care also debuted a new paid digital ad featuring footage of the vote. The ad recognizes this important moment in history by calling attention to the fact that President Trump and Republican Senators like Cory Gardner (R-CO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Steve Daines (R-MT) and Martha McSally (R-AZ) continue to support repealing the health care law. 

The town hall consisted of two panels featuring remarks from Senators Stabenow, Casey, Klobuchar and Baldwin, as well as activists from the front lines of the repeal fight including Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Ben Wikler, Little Lobbyists Executive Director and Co-Founder Elena Hung, Get America Covered Co-Founder Lori Lodes, NETWORK Executive Director Sr. Simone Campbell and Stage 4 cancer survivor and Health Care Voter Co-Chair Laura Packard. The first panel discussed what it was like on the floor of the Senate the night Senator McCain cast his thumbs-down vote, the importance of the ACA during this pandemic and why President Trump seems hellbent on terminating the ACA in court. The second panel spoke about their various experiences in the fight against the repeal of the ACA and the next steps in health care advocacy leading into November. 

New Digital Ad From POC Targets Trump and Senators Cory Gardner (R-CO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Steve Daines (R-MT) and Martha McSally (R-AZ) for Continuing to Support Repealing the Health Care Law

Washington, DC — Protect Our Care is releasing a new paid digital ad today to mark the three-year anniversary of Senator John McCain’s “thumbs-down” vote to block Senate Republicans’ effort to repeal the ACA in the early morning hours of July 28, 2017. A seminal moment for Americans’ health care, McCain offered Republicans a chance to chart a different course from their relentless quest to repeal the law. But instead, under the leadership of Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell, they chose to double down on their repeal at all costs approach even as the nation faces the worst public health crisis in a century. The ad recognizes this important moment by calling attention to the fact that President Trump along with Republican Senators like Cory Gardner (R-CO), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Steve Daines (R-MT) and Martha McSally (R-AZ) continue to support repealing the health care law. The ads will target persuadable voters on digital platforms in AZ, CO, NC, IA, MT, WI, MI, PA and MN. 

Later today at 6:00 PM EST, Protect Our Care will host a virtual town hall to commemorate the third anniversary of Senator John McCain’s historic thumbs-down vote that will feature Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) along with health care advocates who have been instrumental in the fight against repeal.

“Senator McCain’s vote three years ago should have been a wake up call for the Trump administration and Republicans to stand down from their relentless efforts to tear apart the ACA, yet their war on health care has only continued to grow more destructive,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “The Trump administration and Republicans including Senators Gardner, Tillis, Daines and McSally are hellbent on repeal and still have no replacement and no plan for the more than 20 million Americans who receive coverage under the ACA nor the 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions who are protected under the law. As the nation faces a deadly pandemic that tests our health care system and threatens the health and safety of every American like never before, it’s unconscionable that Trump and Republicans are still plowing ahead with their efforts to take away health care.”

WATCH: “Thumbs Down”

Ad script: 

Reporter: After several years trying to repeal and replace Obamacare, it came down to just one vote, John McCain’s.

Reporter: Senator McCain, just days removed from his cancer diagnosis, stunning the chamber, turning the thumb’s down on the repeal bill.

Republicans have tried to dismantle our health care dozens of times…

Colorado Senator Cory Gardner, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, Montana Senator Steve Daines, and North Carolina Senator Thomas Tillis ALL supported repealing the Affordable Care Act.

And Arizona Senator Martha McSally said let’s “get this f***ing thing done” when calling for repeal.

Now we are in the middle of a pandemic and President Trump and Republicans are back. again…

Continuing their relentless quest to repeal the Affordable Care Act which provides coverage for more than 20 million Americans and protects over 135 million Americans with pre-existing conditions. It’s reckless and dangerous, especially in the middle of a pandemic.

In times like these, Americans deserve better.

Ahead of the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Protect Our Care Releases New Report on the Disproportionate Toll of the Crisis for People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and How Trump’s War on Health Care Has Only Made Things Worse

Read the Report Here

Washington, DC — Today, ahead of the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Protect Our Care is releasing a new report on how people with disabilities are especially vulnerable to the coronavirus and how early data reveals individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are seeing alarming rates of infections and deaths nationwide. There are 61 million adults with a disability in the United States and adults with disabilities are three times more likely to have chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and cancer that put them at higher risk for severe illness if they contract the coronavirus. This report sheds light how President Trump’s disastrous response to the coronavirus and years-long war on health care has put people with disabilities at risk during this crisis. 

Report: How President Trump Put People With Disabilities At Risk Ahead Of The Pandemic

“Donald Trump has failed people with disabilities time and again, and now they are facing devastating consequences during the coronavirus crisis,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Along with higher rates of infection and death from the coronavirus, the president’s push to weaken Medicaid and terminate the Affordable Care Act in court has put millions of people with disabilities at risk of losing the coverage and care they need to survive. As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Donald Trump’s reckless war on health care and failure to lead during this pandemic has only made things worse for an already vulnerable community.” 

Washington, DC — Today, President Trump is expected to sign an executive order on drug pricing. All indications are that it’s nothing more than political cover to divert attention from his failed coronavirus response and failure to do anything to actually lower the cost of prescription drugs. Last year, Democrats in the House passed H.R. 3, which would give Medicare the power to negotiate directly with drug companies to lower drug prices — the most effective way to lower costs. The president opposed it. If the president was serious, he would have supported the House’s legislation which is overwhelmingly popular with the majority of Americans. In response to the new executive order, Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach issued the following statement in response: 

“President Trump’s executive order is a meaningless piece of paper that will do nothing to help lower the cost of prescription drugs. The president has no credibility on this issue. He’s the one who showered drug companies with billions of dollars in tax breaks while they continue to raise prices on Americans. If President Trump really cared about lowering drug prices, he wouldn’t have opposed allowing Medicaid to negotiate for drug lower prices — the single most powerful way to reduce drug prices for Americans. The president knows that voters overwhelmingly disapprove of his leadership on health care, and today’s stunt will not change that.”

BACKGROUND: 

Trump’s Failed Record and Broken Promises on Drug Pricing

Drug prices have soared under President Trump. While drug companies have continued to raise prices, Trump rewarded them with massive tax breaks and now opposes giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower drug costs – the single most effective measure to do so. 

• President Trump gave drug companies billions of dollars in tax breaks while they rake in massive profits and raise prices on Americans. 
• Drug prices have soared under President Trump.
• He has repeatedly talked about lowering prices based on costs in other countries, but independent experts have said his proposals would be ineffective.
• He opposes the single most important thing you can do to lower drug prices — giving Medicare the power to negotiate for lower prices.
• He has repeatedly talked about lowering prices based on costs in other countries, but independent experts have said his proposals would be ineffective.

Empowered By Trump, Drug Companies Are Already Taking Advantage Of The Coronavirus Crisis

GoodRx: Pharmaceutical Companies Logged More Than 800 Price Increases In 2020 So Far. “Pharmaceutical companies logged more than 800 price increases this year, and adjusted the cost of 42 medicines upward by an average of 3.3 percent so far in July, according to GoodRx, which tracks the prices consumers pay at pharmacies. While the size of that increase is not out of line with past years, the number of branded drugs seeing hikes this month was higher than last year.” [Politico, 7/7/20] 

• GoodRx Data: Drugs Treating Respiratory Illnesses Saw Above-Average Price Increases. “Three treatments for patients with respiratory illnesses but not specifically the coronavirus — Bevespi Aerosphere, Daliresp and Tyvaso — saw hikes of 5 percent, 6 percent and 4.5 percent respectively. Tyvaso’s increases over the year total 12.8 percent and bring its list price to $18,111.22.” [Politico, 7/7/20] 

Drug Companies Working On Covid-19 Treatments And Vaccines Boosted Their Lobbying Expenditures. “Takeda, which is working to produce a plasma treatment for Covid-19, more than doubled its lobbying expenditure in the second quarter of 2020 compared to the same period a year ago: From $570,000 to $1.33 million. The manufacturers Merck and AstraZeneca, both of which are attempting coronavirus vaccines, upped their spending to $2.62 million and $780,000 — increases of $315,000 and $300,000 from the same period last year, respectively. And Gilead Sciences, the manufacturer of the experimental antiviral remdesivir, upped its lobbying spend from $1.08 to $1.28 million. The Biotechnology Innovation Organization, a trade group, spent $3.32 million, up from $3.01 million.” [Stat, 7/20/20] 

Gilead Set Remdesivir’s Price At $3,120 For A Course Of Treatment After Taxpayers Spent $99 Million On Its Development. “Earlier this month, Gilead Sciences announced the price of remdesivir, a drug that shows some promise in treating COVID-19. But does it show enough promise to justify its price tag—another $3,120 total for a course of treatment on private insurance—given that taxpayers spent $99 million on its development?” [Slate, 7/20/20] 

Axios: Drugmaker Tripled The Price Of A Pill As It Pursued Coronavirus Use. “Going into this year, the list price of a 60-pill bottle of Mytesi — an antidiarrheal medication specifically for people with HIV/AIDS who are on antiretroviral drugs — was $668.52. On April 9, Jaguar Health raised the price to $2,206.52, according to pricing data from Elsevier’s Gold Standard Drug Database. Between the lines: The price hike coincides with the company’s push to get its drug to more patients — specifically those diagnosed with COVID-19.” [Axios, 4/23/20] 

Associated Press: Gilead Sciences Sought Rare Disease Status For Potential Coronavirus Treatment, Which Is Potentially Worth Millions In Tax Breaks. “The pharmaceutical giant that makes a promising coronavirus drug has registered it as a rare disease treatment with U.S. regulators, a status that can potentially be worth millions in tax breaks and competition-free sales…The FDA granted the status on Monday, according to the agency’s website. If approved for coronavirus, Gilead Sciences would receive seven years of exclusive U.S. marketing for the drug and tax credits on its research and development costs.” [Associated Press, 3/25/20] 

• Gilead Sciences Rescinded Request For Exclusivity After Backlash. “Gilead Sciences On Wednesday announced that it has submitted a request to the Food and Drug Administration to rescind the exclusive marketing rights it had secured for remdesivir, an antiviral drug that shows promise in treating Covid-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus. As The Intercept reported on Monday, the FDA had awarded Gilead seven years of exclusive marketing rights to the drug through the Orphan Drug Act, even though the statute was designed to induce pharmaceutical companies to make treatments for rare diseases that affect fewer than 200,000 people in the United States.” [The Intercept, 3/25/20]

News reports this week highlighted a new poll from Public Policy Polling for Protect Our Care shows that voters in Kentucky strongly reject Mitch McConnell’s push to reopen schools in the fall even as the pandemic rages on across the country and support key provisions of the Heroes Act championed by House Democrats. As Mitch McConnell scrambles to get his caucus and the White House on the same page this week about the next COVID relief package, it’s clear their priorities are being rejected by people in McConnell’s home state and around the country who understand that the provisions outlined by Democrats such as increased federal funding for testing and a special enrollment period for the ACA are truly what’s necessary to keep them healthy and safe. 

The Hill: Poll Shows McConnell Under Pressure At Home Over Next Coronavirus Bill. “A new poll conducted by the Democratic-leaning Public Policy Polling shows Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) getting pushback from voters in Kentucky because of his opposition to more federal aid to state and local governments and his call to get kids back to school quickly.” [The Hill, 7/21/20] 

Daily Kos: Kentucky Voters Reject Every McConnell Stance on COVID-19 Relief. “The voters of Kentucky roundly support the key provisions of the HEROES coronavirus relief bill from House Democrats, and roundly oppose Sen. Mitch McConnell’s push to reopen schools in the middle of the pandemic. That’s what Public Policy Polling (PPP) found in a poll conducted July 17-18 in Kentucky for Protect Our Care.” [Daily Kos, 7/22/20] 

Newsweek: Most Voters in Mitch McConnell’s Home State of Kentucky Disagree with Him on Coronavirus Federal Aid. “A majority of voters in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s home state of Kentucky disagree with his coronavirus federal aid plan, according to a new poll… The poll from Public Policy Polling also found a majority of Kentucky voters disagree with sending children back to school, a stance that McConnell has supported. According to the poll, 56 percent of voters in the state said they disagree with sending kids back to school, while 31 percent said the opposite.” [Newsweek, 7/21/20] 

Memo for Protect Our Care and PPP’s Latest Poll

Toplines for Protect Our Care and PPP’s Latest Poll 

Washington DC — Today, a new poll from Public Policy Polling for Protect Our Care shows that voters support key provisions of the recently passed coronavirus relief bill known as the Heroes Act championed by House Democrats, and strongly oppose Mitch McConnell’s push to reopen schools in the fall even as the pandemic rages on across the country. The poll finds broad support for common sense provisions in the Heroes Act like funding for coronavirus testing and treatment, and opening up a special enrollment period for Kentuckians to sign up for health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act. A majority of Kentuckians also disagree with McConnell’s stated position of opening schools back up in the fall. The poll also found that McConnell’s approval rating trails significantly to that of Democratic Governor Andy Beshear who has been a leader for Kentuckians and listened to medical experts during the pandemic.

“Mitch McConnell and Senate Republicans’ blind loyalty to a president who refuses to listen to medical experts or take action to fight this virus flies in the face of their constituents who want their leaders to enact common sense solutions outlined in the Heroes Act,” said Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse. “Kentuckians understand that in order to fight this deadly virus we need increased federal funding for coronavirus testing and treatment and the creation of a special enrollment period to sign up for health care under the Affordable Care Act. It’s clear that Kentuckians soundly reject McConnell and Trump’s reckless position to send kids back to school in the fall without a plan or resources to do so safely. Senate Republicans are putting their desire to please this president over the grave concerns of medical experts and their own constituents who are pleading with them to put the health and safety of the nation first.” 

Key Findings From the Survey Include:

• 73% support increasing funding for testing and treatment for the coronavirus, while only 14% oppose it
• 68% support increasing federal funding for Medicaid, so states do not have to reduce Medicaid coverage and benefits during a pandemic, with only 17% opposed
• 65% support allocating $1 trillion to state and local governments to pay vital workers like first responders, health workers, and teachers, while just 21% oppose this
• 52% support creating a special enrollment period for Americans to sign up for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act, while just 26% oppose it
• 61% of Kentucky voters trust medical experts more than President Trump, including a majority of independents (61%) and a plurality (42%) of Republicans
• 56% disagree with McConnell’s stated position on sending kids back to school in the fall even as coronavirus infections continue to rise
• Senator Mitch McConnell is underwater in his overall job approval in his home state by a margin of 8 points (40-48) while Governor Andy Beshear, a Democrat, has a job approval rating of 54% with Kentucky voters versus only 35% who disapprove of his performance in office

Ads Launched Today Are Part of Protect Our Care’s Previously Announced $2 Million Digital and TV Ad Campaign On Trump’s Failed Coronavirus Response 

Washington, DC — Protect Our Care is launching two new digital ads today as part of our $2 million ad campaign criticizing the Trump administration’s failed coronavirus response that put millions of Americans at grave risk. 

• “Doubling Down,” features Tarik Khan, a RN and family nurse practitioner from Pennsylvania, talking about how President Trump’s coronavirus response has been a failure from the start, and even as the crisis worsens, Trump “keeps doubling down on his mistakes and ignoring the facts.”
• “Outstrip,” features Dr. Rob Davidson, an emergency room physician from Michigan discussing how Trump’s refusal to listen to medical experts and failed response to the pandemic has resulted in spikes in cases and hospitalizations, and how these spikes threaten to “outstrip” hospitals of their PPE and resources to combat the virus. 

Watch: Doubling Down

Watch: Outstrip

The ads will run in Pennsylvania and Michigan on digital platforms and connected devices. 

These ads are the next round in a series of TV and digital ads first launched by Protect Our Care last week. As cases of coronavirus continue to spike around the country and the death toll nears 140,000, the ads urge the Trump administration to listen to medical experts and do more to protect Americans during the pandemic. All ads released as part of this campaign make clear that the coronavirus pandemic “didn’t have to be this bad.” 

It is Protect Our Care’s hope that through these ads, the administration will heed the warnings of medical professionals on the front lines and take more serious and effective action to fight the pandemic.

“President Trump’s botched coronavirus response has been catastrophic for America, and his failure to listen to the advice of medical experts or professionals on the frontlines of this crisis has only made it worse,” said Protect Our Care Chair Leslie Dach. “Health care workers know that President Trump’s refusal to take this crisis seriously has only led to spikes in cases, hospitalizations, PPE shortages and more unnecessary deaths. Americans are increasingly worried about their safety, but instead of taking action or heeding the dire warnings from medical professionals, President Trump continues to downplay the threat to the citizens he swore to protect.” 

Script for Doubling Down (:30): 

Tarik Khan: During the coronavirus, I’ve tested hundreds of patients and I’ve diagnosed hundreds of them with COVID-19.

And I could tell that they were scared. 

They know someone personally who’s died from it. 

Already over 100,000 Americans have died.

From the start, we’ve been behind the eight ball because the president was not prepared.

The president keeps doubling down on his mistakes and ignoring the facts.

This crisis did not have to be as bad as it was.  

Script for Outstrip (:30): 

Dr. Rob Davidson: I work in a rural, small town emergency department.

We’ve been seeing more patients sick enough to be admitted where the coronavirus is the primary reason that they’re there.

It would not take very long for us to outstrip our resources.

Watching the president, it’s frustrating to me that had we had an administration and specifically a president that took this seriously earlier, we would have been able to reign this in and contain this much earlier.

And fewer people would have died.

Washington, DC — Today, the Department of Justice and the state of Arkansas petitioned the Supreme Court to reinstate burdensome Medicaid work requirements that were previously ruled by the DC Circuit Court of Appeals to be “arbitrary and capricious” while failing to advance the purposes of Medicaid. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement: 

“This move by the Trump administration is outrageous even for an administration that has completely botched the response to the coronavirus and waged a relentless war on Medicaid. These burdensome paperwork requirements are meant to boot people off the rolls, which is particularly heartless during the dual public health and economic crises facing Americans today. Rather than find ways to rip health care away from Americans during a pandemic, the Trump administration should be making health care more affordable and leading the effort to fight the virus. But given the war President Trump and his allies have waged on American health care, we won’t hold our breath waiting for them to do either one.”

POC’s Days of Action Included Groundswell of Activity Across the Nation Highlighting Trump and Republicans’ Efforts to Terminate the Affordable Care Act 

On June 25, the Trump administration and Republican attorneys general filed briefs in the Supreme Court in support of their lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act, and even Fox News recognized the potential negative electoral impact for Republicans because of the lawsuit. In the days surrounding the filing, Protect Our Care launched a campaign including 12 days of action to bring attention to the dire consequences of the GOP’s reckless lawsuit that would strip coverage from 23 million Americans and 135 million with pre-existing conditions in the middle of a pandemic. 

Protect Our Care’s campaign included virtual town halls, Zoom roundtables and press calls with members of Congress, state attorneys general, state legislators and health care advocates in 13 key states in the lead up to and after the Trump administration and Republicans’ filings in the case. The campaign also included 12 days of action to highlight a different aspect of the ACA while making clear what’s at stake if the Trump administration is successful in their lawsuit to overturn the law.

Protect Our Care’s Days of Action Campaign included:

Medicaid Expansion

Women

Seniors

Prescription Drug Costs

People with Pre-Existing Conditions

Disability Community

LGBTQ Americans

Young Americans

African American Community

Latino Community

Marketplace Signups & Financial Assistance

Rural Health (Including Opioids & Rural Hospitals)

Here’s a look at the events and some of the news coverage that took place surrounding the Days of Action:

ARIZONA
Friday, May 8 – Press Call with Rep. Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01), Providers and Advocates
Protect Our Care Arizona was joined by Congressman Tom O’Halleran, January Contreras, former Deputy County Attorney for Maricopa County and Assistant Attorney General for Arizona, and Ashley Bridwell, a brain tumor survivor and health care advocate on a press call to discuss how President Trump’s lawsuit to eliminate the Affordable Care Act would devastate Arizonans, and leave millions without access to health care in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Speakers on the call condemned Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich’s support for the lawsuit, and described how health care repeal would undermine our country’s response to the pandemic. Listen to audio of the press call here. 

• The Copper Courier: Rep. O’Halleran Chides Trump For Continuing ACA Repeal Efforts During Pandemic

Thursday, June 25 – Lawsuit Roundtable with Biden for President, Former HUD Secretary Julián Castro and January Contreras
Protect Our Care Arizona provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. Arizona storytellers included Alicia DeWitt, a behavioral therapist and a rare illness survivor. Alicia also lives with Addison’s disease, continues to face ongoing health struggles, and is very seriously immunocompromised; and Jeff Jeans, a throat cancer survivor who counts the passage of the ACA with saving his life.

Monday, June 29 – Press Call with Rep. Tom O’Halleran (AZ-01), Patient Advocates
Protect Our Care Arizona was joined by Congressman Tom O’Halleran and health care advocates from across the state on a press call to discuss the “Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act,” and highlight ongoing threats to Arizonans’ health care. The call came after the Trump Administration and Republican Attorneys General filed their opening briefs to the Supreme Court as part of their lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act. You can listen to the call audio here.

COLORADO
Monday, May 11–  Zoom Roundtable with State Rep. Yadira Caraveo, Providers and Advocates
Protect Our Care Colorado and Rocky Mountain Values were joined by Dr. Representative Yadira Caraveo and other health care experts on a virtual roundtable to discuss the latest steps in Trump’s lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and briefs filed to the Supreme Court by the House of Representatives and Democratic attorneys general opposing the lawsuit. Rep. Caraveo and roundtable participants have been active in working to protect Coloradans’ health care from this lawsuit, and described the consequences of the lawsuit for Colorado, particularly in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which now qualifies as a pre-existing condition. Watch a full recording of the roundtable here.

Thursday, June 25 – Press Conference at Senator Cory Gardner’s Office
Protect Our Care Colorado was joined by health care advocates at a press conference outside Senator Cory Gardner’s office, asking him to oppose the lawsuit to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. Participants also condemned Senator Gardner’s support for radical anti-health care judges appointed by President Trump, and blasted the Senator’s refusal to prioritize the needs of Coloradans over partisan politics. 

• Colorado Times Recorder: As Republicans Push Lawsuit to Kill Obamacare, Activists Ask, ‘Where is Gardner Now?’
• KWGN (FOX 31): Health Care Advocates to Blast Gardner for Supporting Lawsuit to Repeal ACA

GEORGIA
Wednesday, July 1 – Virtual Press Conference with Health Care Professionals
Protect Our Care Georgia was joined by Dr. Jamie Weisman, Kate Wrammert, NP, and State Representative Dr. Jasmine Clark on a virtual press conference to discuss the latest steps in President Trump’s efforts to eliminate the ACA and contrast it with how House Democrats, including Rep. Lucy McBath, passed new legislation this week to strengthen health care by bolstering consumer protections, expanding access, and lowering costs for Americans. The event can be watched here.

IOWA
Wednesday, May 6 – Press Call with IA Attorney General Tom Miller
Attorney General Tom Miller joined Protect Our Care Iowa’s press call to discuss the implications of Trump’s lawsuit to repeal the ACA and why he opposes the cruel judicial tactics used by Republicans to rip health care from thousands of Iowans when they need it most. AG Miller was joined by Dr. Glenn Hurst—a physician in Minden, Iowa—and Debbie Koopman, a resident of Cedar Rapids. Listen to a recording of the call here.

• Cedar Rapids Gazette: Defending Obamacare, Iowa Democrats attack Ernst
• Quad-City Times: Defending Obamacare, Iowa Democrats attack Ernst
• Southwest Iowa News Source: Defending Obamacare, Iowa Democrats attack Ernst
• Marietta Daily Journal: Defending Obamacare, Iowa Democrats attack Ernst
• Cherokee Tribune & Ledger-News: Defending Obamacare, Iowa Democrats attack Ernst
• SouthernMinn.com: Defending Obamacare, Iowa Democrats attack Ernst
• Bellevue Herald-Leader: Defending Obamacare, Iowa Democrats attack Ernst
• Iowa Capital Dispatch: Iowa joins 19 states in brief defending ACA in U.S. Supreme Court case
• Newsbreak: Iowa joins 19 states in brief defending ACA in U.S. Supreme Court case

Thursday, June 25 – Virtual Roundtable with State Sen. Claire Celsi
Progress Iowa, Protect Our Care Iowa, Iowa Citizen Action Network, Iowa Voices, and Indivisible Iowa were joined by State Senator Claire Celsi and Iowans to discuss the latest steps in President Trump’s efforts to eliminate the Affordable Care Act. Speakers discussed the need to protect the Affordable Care Act, especially as it benefits thousands of Iowans. You can watch a recording of the event here.

MAINE
Thursday, May 7 – Press Call with State Legislators and Advocates
Protect Our Care Maine was joined by state lawmakers and health care advocates on a press call to discuss the ongoing lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act. Speakers included State Senator Heather Sanborn, a small business owner; State Representative Thom Harnett; and Marie Follyattar-Smith, a patient advocate with Mainers for Accountable Leadership. They discussed the consequences of the lawsuit for Mainers, particularly noting the importance of MaineCare and subsidies for marketplace insurance. Listen to a recording of the call here.

Wednesday, May 13 – Op-Ed by State Rep. Thom Harnett
Protect Our Care Maine worked with Rep. Thom Harnett, who represents District 83 in the Maine House of Representatives, to place an op-ed in the Bangor Daily News describing how Republicans’ continued efforts to repeal the ACA are especially cruel and irresponsible amid the current pandemic.

• Bangor Daily News: COVID-19 shows recklessness of lawsuit to repeal Affordable Care Act

Friday, June 26 – Lawsuit Roundtable with Biden for President & State Legislators
Protect Our Care Maine provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. Maine storytellers included State Senator Troy Jackson, a fifth-generation logger and current State Senate President; and State Representative Anne Perry, who is also a Family Nurse Practitioner working at Calais Regional Medical Services.

Tuesday, June 30 – Press Call with State Legislators and ME Attorney General Aaron Frey
Protect Our Care Maine was joined by Attorney General Aaron Frey, State Rep. Thom Harnett, and State Rep. Donna Doore on a press call to discuss the latest steps in President Trump’s efforts to eliminate the Affordable Care Act. They contrasted Republicans’ war on health care with Democrats’ efforts to expand health care, including passing a bill the night before to shore up the ACA. View the post-event release here and listen to a recording of the event here.

• NewsCenterMaine: Maine’s A.G. mounts legal defense to counter President’s legal challenge of Obamacare

MICHIGAN
Wednesday, May 6 – Press Call with MI Attorney General Dana Nessel
Protect Our Care Michigan was joined by Attorney General Dana Nessel, Rep. Padma Kuppa (D-Troy) and Eric Schneidewind, immediate past president of AARP, on a press call to discuss the latest steps in Trump’s disastrous lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act and briefs filed to the Supreme Court by the House of Representatives and Democratic attorneys general opposing the lawsuit.

• MIRS: AG Coalition Says Repeal Of ACA Could Make COVID-19 Crisis Worse
• WULC Upper Michigan News: AG Nessel joins coalition of 20 states, District of Columbia in defending the ACA in US Supreme Court

Monday, May 11 – Op-Ed by David Woodward
Protect Our Care Maine worked with David Woodward, Chairman of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, to place an op-ed in The Oakland Press describing how Republicans’ continued efforts to repeal the ACA are especially cruel and irresponsible amid the current pandemic. 

• The Oakland Press: Column: COVID-19 reminds us why Trump’s reckless health repeal lawsuit should be thrown out 

Thursday, May 21 – Polling Press Call with State Rep. Abdullah Hammoud and Dr. Rob Davidson Protect Our Care and Public Policy Polling were joined on a press call by Michigan State Rep. Abdullah Hammoud (D-Dearborn, MI) and Dr. Rob Davidson of the Committee to Protect Medicare. They discussed President Trump’s response to the coronavirus crisis in Michigan and how his failures have placed Michiganders’ health and safety at risk ahead of his visit to the state. Protect Our Care also unveiled a new survey conducted with Public Policy Polling in Michigan that finds voters in Michigan disapprove of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus crisis and trust Governor Whitmer far more. Listen to the call audio here.

• U.S. News & World Report: Trump Trails Biden in New Michigan Poll
• Dearborn Press & Guide: Hammoud, Protect Our Care blast Trump on COVID-19 policy ahead of visit to Michigan 
• MLive: Trump visits Michigan amid coronavirus pandemic, historic flooding and economic downturn

Thursday, June 25 – Lawsuit Roundtable with Biden for President, Rep. Elissa Slotkin (MI-08) and MI Attorney General Dana Nessel
Protect Our Care Michigan provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. Michigan storytellers included Eric Schneidewind, Past President of Michigan AARP and current national president; Dr. Farhan Bhatti, MD, a Family Medicine Specialist in Lansing, MI; and Erich Ditschman, a National Kidney Foundation advocate.

• MIRS News: Slotkin, Nessel Talk ACA In Roundtable

MINNESOTA
Thursday, May 13 – Press Call with MN Attorney General Keith Ellison and Andy Slavitt
Protect Our Care Minnesota was joined by Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Andy Slavitt, and health care advocate Jessica Intermill to discuss how President Trump’s lawsuit to eliminate the Affordable Care Act would devastate Minnesotans, and exacerbate the COVID-19 crisis. Attorney General Ellison and Former Acting Administrator Slavitt blasted the Trump administration for refusing to drop the lawsuit in light of the pandemic, and Jessica Intermill, who relies on the Affordable Care Act for access to care, explained how losing the law’s protections would leave her unable to afford the health care she needs to manage her chronic condition. Listen to the call audio here.

• Fox 9 News: Minnesota AG Pushes to Preserve Obamacare Ahead of Supreme Court Fight

Wednesday, June 24 – Virtual Roundtable with Rep. Angie Craig (MN-02)
Protect Our Care Minnesota was joined by Representative Angie Craig, State Senator Matt Klein, and health care advocates from across Minnesota on a virtual roundtable to discuss how Democrats are working to expand and improve access to health care in Minnesota, while President Trump and Republicans work to strip Minnesotans of their health care. Participants on the call shared concerns that the Republican lawsuit to eliminate the Affordable Care Act would devastate Minnesotans, and leave many unable to access care. You can watch the roundtable here.

MONTANA
Wednesday, May 20 – Press Call with Local Voices
Leaders in Havre joined a press call with Protect Our Care to discuss the implications of the Trump lawsuit on Montana’s Medicaid program. State Rep. Jacob Bachmeier, Bullhook CEO Kyndra Hall, and Havre resident Andrea Melle—whose adult children benefit immensely from the Medicaid program—condemned the lawsuit and it’s disastrous effects that it could have on Montana because it would defund the state’s Medicaid expansion program. You can listen to a recording of the call here. 

• Havre Daily News: Havreites speak against suit to overturn Obamacare

Tuesday, June 30 – Senator Jon Tester (D-MT) Files Resolution in Support of the ACA
Protect Our Care Montana issued a statement in support of Senator Jon Tester’s resolution demanding that the Department of Justice defend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in court and halt its efforts to repeal the health care protections for millions. 

Wednesday, July 1 – Seniors and ACA Press Call with State Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell and Advocates
Protect Our Care Montana was joined by State Rep. Mary Ann Dunwell (D – HD 47), Dr. Kris Spanjian, Judy Shannon , and Big Sky 55+ Executive Director Elizabeth Marum on a press call to discuss how Trump’s health care sabotage agenda is putting Montana seniors at increased risk during the coronavirus pandemic. Participants also discussed a new report released by Protect Our Care and the Alliance for Retired Americans on how Trump’s war on health care continues to harm seniors—especially his lawsuit to overturn the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which would devastate older Americans during this crisis. You can listen to a recording of the call here.

NEVADA
Thursday, May 7 – Zoom Roundtable with Rep. Susie Lee (NV-03) and NV Attorney General Aaron Ford
Congresswoman Susie Lee and Attorney General Aaron Ford joined Protect Our Care Nevada for a Zoom roundtable to unpack the briefs filed by attorneys general opposing Trump’s lawsuit to repeal the ACA. Nevada is one of the states opposing the lawsuit, and Attorney General Ford remarked on his office’s work fighting the lawsuit that would rip health care from hundreds of thousands of Nevadans. Watch a full recording of the roundtable here.

Monday, May 11 — Op-Ed by Dr. Mark J. Kahn, Dean of the UNLV School of Medicine
Protect Our Care Nevada provided Dr. Mark J. Kahn with data on the racial disparities of how COVID-19 affects demographics in different states for an op-ed in the Las Vegas Sun. “The fact that the mortality from COVID-19 in black, Latino or Native American communities is several times that of whites is alarming. Certainly, the reasons behind these differences are not completely known and are likely in part related to genetic differences in the way different ethnic groups’ immune systems respond to the infection,” Dr. Khan wrote.

• Las Vegas Sun: Op-Ed: Health care should not be a partisan issue

Thursday, June 25 – ACA Lawsuit Roundtable with Biden for President, NV Attorney General Aaron Ford and State Sen. Julia Ratti
Protect Our Care Nevada provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. Nevada storytellers included Allison Stephens, DNC Committeewoman and health care advocate; Joseph Merlino, a cancer survivor who received life-saving cancer treatment thanks to Medicaid expansion; Mayor Daniel Corona, Mayor of West Wendover in rural Nevada; and Liz Carrasco, who was hospitalized for several days with COVID-19.

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Wednesday, May 13 – Zoom Roundtable with Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02), Health Care Advocates
Protect Our Care New Hampshire co-hosted a Zoom roundtable with New Futures to discuss New Hampshire’s ongoing addiction crisis, especially amid coronavirus and the pending ACA repeal lawsuit. Rep. Kuster heard from health care advocates and substance use disorder experts from across the state. On the call, themes of decreased treatment access due to the COVID-19 pandemic emerged, along with the threats of the ACA lawsuit on gains New Hampshire made in health coverage and addiction treatment. Watch a full recording of the roundtable here.

• Nashua Telegraph: Kuster hosts virtual roundtable focused on ACA
• Concord Monitor: Drop lawsuit aimed at overturning the ACA

Wednesday, June 24 – Op-Ed in Concord Monitor
Protect Our Care New Hampshire secured an op-ed, authored by state director Jayme Simoes, in the Concord Monitor about how health care will be the defining issue of the 2020 election. “The choice is between taking coverage away from millions of Americans in the middle of a pandemic versus making health care more accessible and affordable for the American people. This dichotomy will set the agenda for the November election on what most likely will be the number one issue on the minds of Granite Staters.”

• Concord Monitor: My Turn: Health care is defining issue for Granite Staters in 2020
• Rep. Annie Kuster Tweet on Op-Ed: “Simply put, there has never been a more important time to protect and expand Americans’ health care, and never a worse time to take it away.”

Friday, June 26 – Lawsuit Roundtable with Biden for President
Protect Our Care New Hampshire provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. New Hampshire storytellers included Holly Stevens, the Health Policy Coordinator at New Futures and a patient with a pre-existing condition who relies on the ACA for health care coverage.

Monday, June 29 – Virtual Roundtable with Local Advocates
Protect Our Care New Hampshire hosted a roundtable discussing the potential impact on Granite Staters of the Trump Administration’s recent filing to the U.S. Supreme Court to strike down the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, Democrats like Rep Annie Kuster and Rep. Chris Pappas filed briefs opposing the lawsuit in May, and have voted to protect and expand the ACA. Watch the full roundtable here.

NORTH CAROLINA
Thursday, May 7 – Press Call with NC Attorney General Josh Stein, Elena Hung and Brad Woodhouse
Protect Our Care North Carolina was joined by Attorney General Josh Stein, Elena Hung, the President and Co-Founder of Little Lobbyists, and Brad Woodhouse, the Executive Director of Protect Our Care on a press call to discuss how Trump’s lawsuit to eliminate the Affordable Care Act threatens North Carolinians’ access to health care. Speakers on the call highlighted the cruelty of Trump’s refusal to drop his lawsuit during the global health crisis, and explained how Republicans like Thom Tillis have failed to protect Americans against this attack on their care. Listen to the call audio here.

Wednesday, June 24 – Virtual Roundtable with NextGen North Carolina & Health Care Advocates
Protect Our Care North Carolina supported NextGen North Carolina in organizing a virtual roundtable with health care advocates from across North Carolina to discuss how Senator Thom Tillis’ attacks on health care put North Carolinians’ lives at stake. Participants urged their fellow North Carolinians to reach out to their Senator, and voice their concerns over his ongoing attacks on the Affordable Care Act, and his refusal to protect access to quality, affordable, health care. You can watch the roundtable here.

• Cardinal & Pine: Thom Tillis Voted to Repeal the ACA Seven Times. He Has To Go, Healthcare Advocates Say.

Friday, June 26 – Lawsuit Roundtable with Biden for President
Protect Our Care North Carolina provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. North Carolina storytellers included Stacy Staggs, the North Carolina Chapter Director of Little Lobbyists and a mother of two young children with complex medical needs who rely on the ACA; and DonnaMarie Woodson, a cancer survivor who credits the Affordable Care Act with saving her life. 

Thursday, July 8 — Press Call with Rep. David Price (NC-04), Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse and Patient Advocates
Protect Our Care North Carolina was joined by Rep. David Price, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse and patient advocates from across North Carolina on a press call to discuss the latest in President Trump’s efforts to eliminate the Affordable Care Act. On June 25, the Department of Justice and Republican-led states filed their briefs in the Supreme Court lawsuit to repeal the law and rip health care away from millions of North Carolinians. Democrats filed their briefs opposing the lawsuit in May. You can listen to a recording of the press call here.

PENNSYLVANIA
Wednesday, May 6 – Zoom Roundtable with Rep. Susan Wild (PA-07) and Pennsylvania Health Action Network
Protect Our Care Pennsylvania was joined by Congresswoman Susan Wild, Robin Stelly of the Pennsylvania Health Action Network (PHAN), and Leslie Dach—Chair of Protect Our Care. Speakers slammed the Trump administration for pursuing its lawsuit to repeal the Affordable Care Act in the middle of a global pandemic and highlighted the implications for rural communities in Pennsylvania if the Republican lawsuit is successful. You can watch a recording of the roundtable here.

Thursday, June 25 – Lawsuit Event with Vice President Joe Biden
Protect Our Care Pennsylvania provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. Pennsylvania storytellers included Amy Raslevich, a breast cancer survivor, Pittsburgh health care advocate, and mother of two children with pre-existing conditions; Stacie Ritter, the mother of twin cancer survivors; and Victoria Salerno, whose son Cole was born with a mitochondrial disease.

• WJAC-TV: Joe Biden meets with families impacted by the Affordable Care Act in Lancaster
• Lancaster Online: Biden’s visit to Lancaster: Why he came here, who he met with and the dual-protesters outside
• York Daily Record: Biden talks about Trump’s ‘twin legacies’ as supporters yell ‘Black Lives Matter’ outside
• CBS 21: Dueling Trump-Biden events offer contrasting virus responses

WISCONSIN
Wednesday, May 6 – Video Roundtable with WI Attorney General Josh Kaul and DNC Chair Tom Perez
DNC Chair Tom Perez, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, and Wisconsinite Noah Reif, who has type 1 diabetes, blasted Trump’s continuing attacks on protections for people with pre-existing conditions. You can watch the full call here.

Thursday, May 14 – Zoom Press Conference with WI Attorney General Josh Kaul
Attorney General Josh Kaul joined Protect Our Care Wisconsin to talk about the amicus brief that he filed with fellow attorneys general this week in opposition to the Trump lawsuit that would rip health care from hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites. The AG was joined by Zena Blom—a Wisconsinite who gained coverage under the ACA and would be penalized by insurance companies because of her pre-existing condition if the law went away. You watch a recording of the call here.

• Wisconsin Examiner: Wisconsin joins brief to support Affordable Care Act before Supreme Court
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Top GOP lawmakers now want to leave virus plan in the hands of local officials
• CBS 58: Kaul joins brief supporting Affordable Care Act
• WeAreGreenBay.com: Wisconsin AG joins others in filing brief defending Affordable Care Act

Friday, June 26 – Lawsuit Roundtable with Biden for President, Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) and State Rep. Robyn Vining
Protect Our Care Wisconsin provided storytellers and participants to the Biden campaign for a series of events on health care and Trump’s assault on the Affordable Care Act. Wisconsin storytellers included Julie B, a retired MPS teacher who has a rare autoimmune disease and relies on the ACA to help her cover daily and weekly treatment and keep insurers from implementing annual or lifetime caps on her care.

• WisPolitics: Jill Biden, U.S. Sen. Harris condemn Trump administration’s efforts to overturn ACA
• Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kamala Harris, Jill Biden back Obamacare, warn of ‘brutal fight’ during virtual event for Milwaukee
• CBS 21: Dueling Trump-Biden events offer contrasting virus responses